Once the infectious prion reaches Taiwan, Taiwan will be more susceptible than perhaps anywhere else in the world to the spread of vCJD in humans.
Mad cow disease has been documented in Europe, the US, Canada and Japan, but not in Taiwan. Although very few cows have been affected by the disease in the US, it is undeniable that eating imported organs and ground beef from US cattle would increase the chances of people getting vCJD in Taiwan.
To date there is no vaccine to prevent mad cow disease, and no cure for those infected. The only way to protect oneself from the illness is to avoid eating suspect beef products. Should we not, as ordinary members of the public, do what we can to keep Taiwan free of mad cow disease by refusing to eat suspect beef products?
The government and related research establishments, for their part, must fulfill their duty to inform the public. They should explain frankly that Taiwanese people are more susceptible to vCJD infection than people in other parts of the world.
Knowledge of the facts will help ordinary people understand why we should say no to products that could carry mad cow disease.
This will strengthen the public’s resolve to keep Taiwan free of the illness.
Klim King is chief executive officer of drug discovery at Viogene BioTek Corp.
TRANSLATED BY JULIAN CLEGG
RSS